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Saturday, August 15, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 15, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Began 6
2A 7. Show faces? 8
3A 15. Bring back into the fold, so to speak 6
4A 16. Worth looking back on 8
5A 17. One from "Japan's kitchen" 6
6A 18. Appeal 8
7A 19. Bit of ceramic ware 3
8A 20. Cast off 7
9A 22. 7/ 3
10A 23. "Lovely" and "wonderful" food, per Monty Python 4
11A 25. Rose Bowl Stadium athlete 5
12A 26. Big ring 4
13A 27. Patient privacy law, in brief 5
14A 29. World Cup team nicknamed "The Three Lions": Abbr. 3
15A 30. Say "Hey," say 5
16A 31. "Speak up" 12
17A 34. Intermezzo and trou normand dishes, essentially 15
18A 38. Hoedown get-down? 12
19A 39. Long-___ squid 5
20A 42. "Wayne's World" exclamation 3
21A 43. Christina of "Buffalo '66" 5
22A 44. Ring location 4
23A 45. Oil wells? 5
24A 47. Nickname for Eleanor 4
25A 48. Eye-catching stage prop 3
26A 49. "Got it?" 7
27A 51. Thru 3
28A 52. Underlining, e.g. 8
29A 54. Classical figure in an 1898 Gustav Klimt oil 6
30A 56. Some back-and-forth 8
31A 57. Big name in fashion 6
32A 58. Go in the wrong way? 8
33A 59. "I beg you!" 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Began"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
  • Similar words include: come home, fall into place, dawn
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAWNED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Show faces?"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TVACTORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. Bring back into the fold, so to speak"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REHIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Worth looking back on"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that belonging to the past; of what is important or famous in the past
  • Similar words include: historical
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HISTORIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. One from "Japan's kitchen""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSAKAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Appeal"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that earnest or urgent request
  • Similar words include: prayer, appeal
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENTREATY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Bit of ceramic ware"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
  • Similar words include: heap, toilet, throne
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Cast off"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SETSAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. 7/"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JUL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. "Lovely" and "wonderful" food, per Monty Python"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a canned meat made largely from pork
  • Similar words include: junk e-mail
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. Rose Bowl Stadium athlete"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conventional name for a bear used in tales following usage in the old epic `reynard the fox'
  • Similar words include: brown bear, Ursus arctos
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRUIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. Big ring"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)
  • Similar words include: pealing, rolling, roll
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Patient privacy law, in brief"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIPAA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. World Cup team nicknamed "The Three Lions": Abbr."

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Say "Hey," say"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)
  • Similar words include: bellow, holloa, holler
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOLLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. "Speak up""

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICANTHEARYOU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Intermezzo and trou normand dishes, essentially"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PALATECLEANSERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. Hoedown get-down?"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEXASTWOSTEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Long-___ squid"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prepare oneself for a military confrontation
  • Similar words include: gird, fortify, arm
  • Opposite of: disarm, unarmed
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARMED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. "Wayne's World" exclamation"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that negation of a word or group of words
  • Similar words include: non
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Christina of "Buffalo '66""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICCI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Ring location"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (anatomy) a somewhat rounded subdivision of a bodily organ or part
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Oil wells?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any tiny hole admitting passage of a liquid (fluid or gas)
  • Similar words include: centre, rivet, concentrate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Nickname for Eleanor"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Eye-catching stage prop"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur
  • Similar words include: feather boa
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. "Got it?""

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAPISCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Thru"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Underlining, e.g."

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that special importance or significance
  • Similar words include: stress, vehemence, accent
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMPHASIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Classical figure in an 1898 Gustav Klimt oil"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) goddess of wisdom and useful arts and prudent warfare; guardian of athens; identified with roman minerva
  • Similar words include: Pallas, Pallas Athene, Pallas Athena
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATHENA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Some back-and-forth"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that adroitness and cleverness in reply
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REPARTEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Big name in fashion"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAUREN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. Go in the wrong way?"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wrongful interference with the possession of property (personal property as well as realty), or the action instituted to recover damages
  • Similar words include: violation, intrusion, intrude
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRESPASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "59. "I beg you!""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give pleasure to or be pleasing to
  • Similar words include: delight
  • Opposite of: displease
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLEASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Cut out the middleman, for delivery 8
2D 2. Fabulous collection 8
3D 3. "You're the best!" 8
4D 4. No-good ending? 3
5D 5. Diamond figs. 4
6D 6. Leftmost star of the Summer Triangle 5
7D 7. Classic 1926 novel often published with a bull and matador on its cover 15
8D 8. Dressing group 12
9D 9. Gamgee player in "Lord of the Rings" 5
10D 10. ___-C 4
11D 11. The second one on the Statue of Liberty is longer than its first one 3
12D 12. Toothache care option 6
13D 13. Communion, e.g. 6
14D 14. Charybdis' man-eating opposite, in myth 6
15D 21. Upper regions of forests 12
16D 24. Sea cow 7
17D 26. French Baroque artist Nicolas 7
18D 28. Challenged on X, say 5
19D 30. Scout's follower? 5
20D 32. Bad spell 3
21D 33. Partner of pitch and roll 3
22D 35. "You get the point" 8
23D 36. Kicks back, in a way 8
24D 37. Crime writer Mickey who created the Mike Hammer stories 8
25D 39. Prince of Monaco beginning in 2005 6
26D 40. Certain tenant 6
27D 41. French soccer superstar Kylian 6
28D 45. Some bow ties 5
29D 46. Where roots take hold 5
30D 49. Complain 4
31D 50. Citation shortener 4
32D 53. Tricks 3
33D 55. Orange or lime 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Cut out the middleman, for delivery"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DROPSHIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Fabulous collection"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AESOPICA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. "You're the best!""

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHATAPAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. No-good ending?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Diamond figs."

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: epoch, ERA, earned run average
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Leftmost star of the Summer Triangle"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the brightest star in cygnus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DENEB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Classic 1926 novel often published with a bull and matador on its cover"

15 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THESUNALSORISES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Dressing group"

12 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that oil and vinegar with mustard and garlic
  • Similar words include: sauce vinaigrette, vinaigrette, French dressing
  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VINAIGRETTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Gamgee player in "Lord of the Rings""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASTIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. ___-C"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CTRL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. The second one on the Statue of Liberty is longer than its first one"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the digits of the foot
  • Similar words include: toenail
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Toothache care option"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORAJEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Communion, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any customary observance or practice
  • Similar words include: rite
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RITUAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Charybdis' man-eating opposite, in myth"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) a sea nymph transformed into a sea monster who lived on one side of a narrow strait; drowned and devoured sailors who tried to escape charybdis (a whirlpool) on the other side of the strait
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCYLLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Upper regions of forests"

12 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREECANOPIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Sea cow"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sirenian mammal of tropical coastal waters of america; the flat tail is rounded
  • Similar words include: Trichechus manatus
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANATEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. French Baroque artist Nicolas"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french painter in the classical style (1594-1665)
  • Similar words include: Nicolas Poussin
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POUSSIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Challenged on X, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Scout's follower?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
  • Similar words include: honour, purity, pureness
  • Opposite of: dishonor, disrespect
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HONOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Bad spell"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an evil spell
  • Similar words include: curse, bewitch, glamour
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Partner of pitch and roll"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an erratic deflection from an intended course
  • Similar words include: gape, swerve, yawn
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. "You get the point""

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that additional unspecified odds and ends; more of the same
  • Similar words include: etc., and so forth, and so on
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETCETERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Kicks back, in a way"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move the upper body backwards and down
  • Similar words include: repose, lean back, recumb
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RECLINES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Crime writer Mickey who created the Mike Hammer stories"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states writer of popular detective novels (born in 1918)
  • Similar words include: Mickey Spillane, Frank Morrison Spillane
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPILLANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. Prince of Monaco beginning in 2005"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prince consort of queen victoria of england (1819-1861)
  • Similar words include: Prince Albert, Albert Francis Charles Augustus Emmanuel
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALBERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Certain tenant"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tenant in someone's house
  • Similar words include: boarder, lodger
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOMER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. French soccer superstar Kylian"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MBAPPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Some bow ties"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dish that contains pasta as its main ingredient
  • Similar words include: alimentary paste
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PASTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. Where roots take hold"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the skin that covers the top of the head
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCALP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Complain"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the lean flesh of a fish that is often farmed; can be baked or braised
  • Similar words include: chicane, cavil
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Citation shortener"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. Tricks"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day
  • Similar words include: feature, make, let
  • Opposite of: abstain, refuse
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "55. Orange or lime"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
  • Similar words include: imbue, chromaticity
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

33 Across Clues
33 Down Clues
66 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: August 15, 2026 at 03:59 AM

Friday, July 24, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 24, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Bit of radiological work 4
2A 5. Component that may emerge from Earth's asthenosphere 5
3A 10. What drones might be mistaken for 4
4A 14. Dudes 4
5A 15. Dirt pie ingredients 5
6A 16. As it's happening 4
7A 17. Criminals in the oil industry? 10
8A 19. "Your guide to a better future" website 4
9A 20. It makes one red in the face 9
10A 21. Animals considered divine messengers in Shinto culture 4
11A 22. Aperitif with black currant liqueur 3
12A 23. Not full-bodied 4
13A 24. Like a politically diverse U.S. state 6
14A 26. When doubled, like a perfect outcome 3
15A 27. Start of a protest 3
16A 28. "Mark Twain" biographer Chernow 3
17A 29. Not show-stopping? 13
18A 33. Segue into a thesis statement 13
19A 34. "Don't sweat the small stuff!" 13
20A 35. Spanish diminutive suffix 3
21A 36. Fire 3
22A 37. One of 17 in Monopoly: Abbr. 3
23A 38. Drinks are on me! 6
24A 40. Terminal datum 4
25A 42. Like a strong bond 3
26A 45. Mine line 4
27A 46. Group with defining traits? 9
28A 48. Foul mood 4
29A 49. Tropical fruit with white flesh and a deep-red rind 10
30A 50. All the ___ 4
31A 51. "That much is obvious" 5
32A 52. A tall one may be inflated 4
33A 53. 2019 Grammy-winning album for Tyler, the Creator 4
34A 54. Rimes with rhymes 5
35A 55. Beta tester, e.g. 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Bit of radiological work"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of scanning; systematic examination of a prescribed region
  • Similar words include: run down, glance over, read
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Component that may emerge from Earth's asthenosphere"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that molten rock in the earth's crust
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAGMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. What drones might be mistaken for"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown; especially those considered to have extraterrestrial origins
  • Similar words include: UFO, flying saucer, unidentified flying object
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UFOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Dudes"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
  • Similar words include: macintosh, mack, mac
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MACS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Dirt pie ingredients"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chocolate cookie with white cream filling
  • Similar words include: oreo cookie, oreo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. As it's happening"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that inhabit or live in; be an inhabitant of
  • Similar words include: be, live on, hot
  • Opposite of: recorded, dead
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Criminals in the oil industry?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARTFORGERS

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8A: "19. "Your guide to a better future" website"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CNET

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9A: "20. It makes one red in the face"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLOWNNOSE

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10A: "21. Animals considered divine messengers in Shinto culture"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that distinguished from bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
  • Similar words include: cervid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Aperitif with black currant liqueur"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Not full-bodied"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having relatively few calories
  • Similar words include: calorie-free, low-cal, light
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. Like a politically diverse U.S. state"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a purple color or pigment
  • Similar words include: violet, purpleness, empurpled
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PURPLE

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14A: "26. When doubled, like a perfect outcome"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a victory (as in a race or other competition)
  • Similar words include: gain ground, succeed, come through
  • Opposite of: losings, fail
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "27. Start of a protest"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that and nothing more
  • Similar words include: merely, just, only
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUT

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16A: "28. "Mark Twain" biographer Chernow"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chadic language spoken in northern nigeria
  • Similar words include: Bokkos, Daffo
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RON

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17A: "29. Not show-stopping?"

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BINGEWATCHING

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18A: "33. Segue into a thesis statement"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERESTHETHING

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19A: "34. "Don't sweat the small stuff!""

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIFESTOOSHORT

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20A: "35. Spanish diminutive suffix"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITO

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21A: "36. Fire"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.
  • Similar words include: tin can, stool, arse
  • Opposite of: hire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "37. One of 17 in Monopoly: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVE

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23A: "38. Drinks are on me!"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BARCAR

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24A: "40. Terminal datum"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a movable barrier in a fence or wall
  • Similar words include: logic gate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GATE

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25A: "42. Like a strong bond"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta associated with old age and hypertension
  • Similar words include: abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AAA

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26A: "45. Mine line"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that joint consisting of a line formed by joining two pieces
  • Similar words include: furrow, wrinkle, crinkle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEAM

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27A: "46. Group with defining traits?"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WORDNERDS

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28A: "48. Foul mood"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of agitated irritation
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNIT

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29A: "49. Tropical fruit with white flesh and a deep-red rind"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that east indian tree with thick leathery leaves and edible fruit
  • Similar words include: Garcinia mangostana, mangosteen tree
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANGOSTEEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "50. All the ___"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feeling of intense anger
  • Similar words include: furore, madness, furor
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAGE

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31A: "51. "That much is obvious""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IKNOW

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32A: "52. A tall one may be inflated"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
  • Similar words include: story, taradiddle, tarradiddle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "53. 2019 Grammy-winning album for Tyler, the Creator"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IGOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "54. Rimes with rhymes"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEANN

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35A: "55. Beta tester, e.g."

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who makes use of a thing; someone who uses or employs something
  • Similar words include: drug user, substance abuser, exploiter
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Insulting talk, informally 5
2D 2. U.S. soccer legend ___ Lloyd 5
3D 3. Fox or Foxx 5
4D 4. Warning next to a suspicious link, perhaps 4
5D 5. Venus, or sometimes Mercury 11
6D 6. Lingo 5
7D 7. Silly sorts 5
8D 8. Cry from a toddler during snack time 4
9D 9. Jack or jenny 3
10D 10. Bad gut feeling? 5
11D 11. Text that's often unread 9
12D 12. Stretttccched out 8
13D 13. Place 3
14D 18. Modern deception 10
15D 21. Cookware sometimes used over campfires 10
16D 24. "Drop it!" 11
17D 25. Language of Barbados: Abbr. 3
18D 26. Tool for a sting 4
19D 27. Hons 4
20D 29. Words said while preparing to leave 9
21D 30. School described as "the chief nurse of England's statesmen" 4
22D 31. Follower of "Doctor" or "That's" 3
23D 32. Bring on 4
24D 33. Run into trouble 8
25D 34. Gay ___ (1970s movement) 3
26D 39. Serve a function 5
27D 40. Fixin' to 5
28D 41. Element whose name comes from the Greek for "inactive" 5
29D 42. Tracts 5
30D 43. Singer whose album titles represent ages 5
31D 44. Recipient of Emmys in different categories for the same role 5
32D 46. Respond to the alarm 4
33D 47. "Is the whole world against me?" 4
34D 48. Guru's honorific 3
35D 49. "Cool" quantity 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Insulting talk, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
  • Similar words include: nip, nose drops, peck
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. U.S. soccer legend ___ Lloyd"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Fox or Foxx"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a theatrical performer
  • Similar words include: player, thespian, doer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Warning next to a suspicious link, perhaps"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NSFW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Venus, or sometimes Mercury"

11 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORNINGSTAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Lingo"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
  • Similar words include: cant, lingo, vernacular
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARGOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Silly sorts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
  • Similar words include: goofball, zany, cuckoo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEESE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Cry from a toddler during snack time"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english statesman who opposed henry viii's divorce from catherine of aragon and was imprisoned and beheaded; recalled for his concept of utopia, the ideal state
  • Similar words include: Sir Thomas More, more than, to a greater extent
  • Opposite of: fewer, less
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Jack or jenny"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: arse, fucking, buttocks
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Bad gut feeling?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a circumscribed inflammatory and often suppurating lesion on the skin or an internal mucous surface resulting in necrosis of tissue
  • Similar words include: ulceration
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ULCER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Text that's often unread"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FINEPRINT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Stretttccched out"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVERLONG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Place"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: bent, exercise set, correct
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Modern deception"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONLINESCAM

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15D: "21. Cookware sometimes used over campfires"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUTCHOVENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. "Drop it!""

11 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUTTHATDOWN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Language of Barbados: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Tool for a sting"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
  • Similar words include: conducting wire, telegram, cable
  • Opposite of: unwire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Hons"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Words said while preparing to leave"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEFOREIGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. School described as "the chief nurse of England's statesmen""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Follower of "Doctor" or "That's""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a united nations agency to coordinate international health activities and to help governments improve health services
  • Similar words include: World Health Organization
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Bring on"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a newly hired employee
  • Similar words include: take, lease, engage
  • Opposite of: fire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Run into trouble"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HITASNAG

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25D: "34. Gay ___ (1970s movement)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Serve a function"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
  • Similar words include: provide, ply, supply
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Fixin' to"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GONNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Element whose name comes from the Greek for "inactive""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless and odorless inert gas; one of the six inert gases; comprises approximately 1% of the earth's atmosphere
  • Similar words include: Ar, atomic number 18
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARGON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "42. Tracts"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
  • Similar words include: expanse, country, field
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AREAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "43. Singer whose album titles represent ages"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADELE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "44. Recipient of Emmys in different categories for the same role"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASNER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "46. Respond to the alarm"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)
  • Similar words include: waken, backwash, Wake Island
  • Opposite of: sleep, cause to sleep
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "47. "Is the whole world against me?""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETTU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "48. Guru's honorific"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SRI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "49. "Cool" quantity"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cypriot monetary unit equal to one thousandth of a pound
  • Similar words include: millilitre, mile, cc
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

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Last updated: July 24, 2026 at 06:07 AM